It is dangerous ground we tread I believe to use personal examples to express the particular view points of the various sociological perspectives. Having said that, from the interactionist perspective, I have in fact experienced the unsavory taste of issues related to inequality. My circumstance specifically relates to an affirmative action situation. I was due a promotion and was one of several others who were well qualified for the same-said promotion. There were many others that were not so qualified but, were still in the “consideration window”. To make a long story short, I didn’t get the promotion nor did some of the other well qualified candidates. However, a few of the other not-so qualified candidates did in fact get promoted. Despite possessing lower performance evaluations, significantly lower academic scores and in a few instances some possessed records of reprimand. These individuals were promoted over me and the few others aforementioned. After a formal complaint was lodged and an investigation was initiated and subsequently concluded, there was significant evidence discovered which determined that due to an affirmative action requirement regarding certain percentages of minorities of varying ethnicity and/or gender being required during all promotion cycles, I and the others were summarily set aside. It was later stated that we were chosen (those set aside) because of lower scores or less flattering performance marks than the individuals that were promoted (of those who were also best qualified). However, I knew better since I was privy to many of their (those that were promoted) evaluations and performance scores. As it turned out we, those not promoted, were all male and white. We also had the disadvantage of being younger both in age and in tenure of the other most qualified, thus would have many more opportunities for promotion. All or nearly so of the other candidates (of the most qualified) were on their last chance to get the promotion. This was a very unfair situation on not just one level but, on several.
I was profoundly affected as my belief in “the system” was injured. It is extremely disappointing that hard work, great effort and positive performance could be set aside and rewards could be withheld and even given over to those that did not work as hard, make as great an effort or possess less positive performance marks, regardless of race/ethnicity or gender. As a result my pay did not increase and my buying power did not increase with an ever increasing cost of living in the economy thus, my family was affected. I could never accept this way of promotion or warped sense of choice that I apparently had no choice in and as such I moved on from this Job all together. Although, I recognize this is not an isolated incidence and I am likely to experience it again to one degree or another, I could not reconcile with it at the time and made a choice for good or bad and I am thus affected by that as well.
I am aware of the reasoning behind why this type of philosophy/ action was enacted/set in motion, though I believe even at its inception it was short sighted to the point of being debilitation if not in the beginning at least later or more specifically, now for those it was designed to help. The intention had merit, of that I am sure but, it has only served more recently in my view to allow those less inclined to concerted, dedicated and/or motivated effort to slack off and not realize their full potential since quite simply, they do not have to make the effort thereby short-selling themselves and solidifying the already unnecessary, erroneous and harmful racial stereotypes. It is obvious to me and apparently a great many that this is not working well at all, perhaps even working towards great disadvantage for all. We as a race, the human race are not designed to strive for mediocrity. Let us not hobble ourselves so by lowing standards to meet those who are not up to the challenge but raise those who are not to meet if not exceed all challenges. Then, only then will we be doing right by each other, race and gender discrimination and bias be damned.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/oct/10/britains-divided-school-system-report Presented by Anushka Asthana of The Observer.
That was so bad. It is very unfair to treat people who deserve promotions unfairly.Our society is filled with such injustices in the work force. The people who work so hard to gain certain positions are always not promoted, something that needs to be taken into consideration. Employees need to offer promotions to those who deserve so as to prevent inequality in our society.
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